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(No Model.)

M. C. JOHNSON.

WHEEL HUB.

No. 273,548. Patented Mar.6,1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- MOSES C. JOHNSON, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND WILLIAM N. WOODRUFF, OF SAME PLACE.

WHEEL-HUB.

y SPECIFICATION forming para fz Letters Patent No. 273,548, dated March e, ieee.

Application filed October 1Q, 1882. (No model.)

To allwhom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, MOSES C. JOHNSON, of Hartford, 'in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and 5 useful Improvements in Wheels; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, whereby .a person skilled in the art can make and use the same, reference being had to the accompaio nying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Like letters in the gures indicate the same parts.

My improvement relates to wheels for carrages and other vehicles.

The object of my invention is to provide a wheel-hub which shall be stronger and hold the spokes more firmly than the metallic hubs now in use, and at the same time be simpler zo and more easily constructed than adjustable hubs heretofore known.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure lis an exterior side view of my improved hub with the spokes of the wheel removed. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sec. tion through the middle of the hub, showing one of the spokes inserted in the lower socket. Fig.3 is asection through the middle of the line of spokes, showing three ofthe spokes in 3o their sockets and the others removed.

A is the axle, which may be of any common construction. Y

, B is the wheel-box, which ts and turns upon the axle.

C is an annular sleeve or box, fitting upon 'the box B, and provided with a raised iiange,

C', for clasping and holding` the ring which supports the spokes. This sleeve is prevented from turning upon the box B by dowels B' or 40 any other common mechanical expedient. The sleeve C could also be cast in one piece with the box B.'

D is a sleeve exactly similar tovC, as shown in the drawings, fitting upon the box B in a reverse position to C, and provided with a raised flange, D', which acts, in connection with the ange C', to clasp and hold the ring in which the spokes are set.

E is the ferrule at the outer end ofthe hub.

It serves as a nut which screws upon the outer 5o lend of the box B to press the sleeve D toward the sleeve C. It is provided with a hole, E',A 'or other deviceA by which it can be forcibly turned with a spanner or wrench to bring the flanges C and D together.

F and F are two rings, which form the part f ot the hub containing the sockets for the inner ends of the spokes. They are made of hard rubber or other similar composition," which possesses acertain degree of elasticity, 6o and which can be cast in molds to an exact form, which it will retain when finished and placed in the wheel. 'Metal cannot be conveniently used for these parts, as it will not retain its exact form when cast, but would require to be accurately cut and turned after cooling. Hard rubber will not only retain its form after cooling', but possess sufficient elasticity to press upon the spokes and tirmly hold them in place, besides somewhat relieving the 7o shocks upon the wheel in use.

The rings F F are provided with sockets G G upon their inner sides, in which the ends ofthe spokes rest. These sockets are intended to be one half in each ring, so that when the rings are forced together by the plates or ilanges C' D' the spokes will be firmly held.

On the outside of each ring are annular grooves H and H', into which the flanges D and C tit, for the purpose of holding the rings 8o F Fl in their exact position.

J J, 8vo., are the spokes. They are intended to be of the usual form and construction, with shoulders resting upon the exterior of the hub to prevent them from being driven inward in the customaryl manner. In my improved hub these shoulders rest on the elastic rings F F', which receive the shock ot' the wheel in strikin'g an obstacle, and prevent the shoulders from heilig worn or injured. It' at any time 9o the spokes become loose in the hub, they can be tightened hy simply turning the nut E, so as to bring the sleeves C and D nearer together.

My improved wheel is held onto the axle by 95 a nut, K, or in any other customary manner.

.Besides the advantages ofy being stronger and simpler than as heretofore made, my improved wheel-hub admits of the sockets for the spokes being cast in the proper line for the dishing of the wheel, thus dispensing with the angular tenons commonly iliade upon the ends of the spokes for this purpose.

I am aware that it is not new to make the spoke-sockets of a wheel in two metallic disks,

which, when clamped together, complete said sockets; also, that it is not new to combine with said disks washers of india-rubber which allow the metallic flanges forming the walls ofthe sockets to protrude through them. I do not claim this construction and combina tion; but

1. In a wheel-hub,two flanged disks ot'indiarubber, which form a series of complete spokesockets, in combination with devices for clamping said disks together, substantially as set forth.

2. In a wheel-hub, two flanged disks of india-rubber, which form a series ot' complete spokesockets, said disks being provided on their outer faces with grooves, in combination with a fixed metallic collar anda movable metallic collar, said collars having anges which fit into said grooves to hold said rubber disks in place, and a clamping device, which forces said movable collar against the other parts for the purpose of clamping all together, substantially as set'fortli.

MOSES C. JOHNSON. 

